Gareth Erfort
Lecturer and PhD student
“FSI to reduce torque ripple in Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT)”
An attempt to alter the blade shape during operation in an effort to control its aerodynamic properties. Thus controlling the forces at play. This is to reduce the torque fluctuations commonly experienced by VAWTS.
Previous studies: University of Cape Town
Worked for: The CSIR while completing his MSc. Then worked abroad for 3 years in a civil engineering company. Returned to start PhD at Stellenbosch in the field of computational fluid dynamics and am now a full-time lecturer in the M&M department.
E-mail: erfort@sun.ac.za
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Yaseen Kajee
Junior lecturer and PhD student
Project to be determined
Previous studies: MScEng, University of Cape Town, South Africa. (Thesis: “The biomechanics of the human tongue”)
Originally from: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Future: Research interests in Biomechanics, Finite Element Analysis, Astronomy
E-mail: ykajee@sun.ac.za
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Charles Jekel
PhD Student
“Surrogate-based inverse analysis and optimization of non-linear material parameters”
PVC-coated polyester is a very difficult material to model with the finite element method. The goal of this project is to generate a representative model capable of modeling the non-linear behavior of PVC-coated polyester. Surrogate models can be used in order to quickly determine a representative model from experimental data.
Interests: Numerical modeling, optimization, surrogate models, inflatable structures
Previous studies: BSc Mechanical Engineering 2013, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, USA; MEng Research (Mechanical) 2016, Stellenbosch University.
Originally from: United States of America
Publications: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2016.11.019 and dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00158-016-1456-8
E-mail: 18633609@sun.ac.za
Website: http://jekel.me
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David Ellis
PhD student
“Generative Design Procedure for Embedding Complex Behaviour in Pneumatic Soft Robots”
Attempting to devise a new procedure which can better explore the design space available to pneumatically actuated soft silicone robots. This investigation involves automating the process whereby design simulations can be set up for nonlinear FE analyses without any user interference. For the preliminary attempt a 2D environment is chosen.
Previous studies: BEng(Mechanical), Stellenbosch University, 2014. MEng(Mechanical), Stellenbosch University, 2017 (Thesis: “Mechanical Characterisation for Simplified Response Modelling of Woven Polypropylene”)
Originally from: Springbok, Northern Cape, South Africa
Publications: Ellis, D.R., Venter, M.P., Venter, G. Methodology for the mechanical characterisation of uncoated woven polymer textiles. 10th South African conference on Computational and Applied Mechanics, North West, South Africa, SA Assoc for Computational and Applied Mechanics (SAAM) 2016: 1-10.
E-mail: 16425103@sun.ac.za
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Johan N. Stander
PhD student (Part-time)
“Multi-disciplinary design optimisation of a slip-synchronous permanent magnet generator for wind energy conversion systems”
The application of multi-disciplinary design optimisation techniques in the field of electrical machine design. The electrical machine in question (SS-PMG) is a fusion of an induction machine with a synchronous machine.
Previous studies: MEng Research (Mechanical) Stellenbosch University (Thesis: “ Specification of a small commercial wind turbine for the South African Antarctic Base, SANEA IV”)
Originally from: George, Western Cape, South Africa
Working at: CSIR – Energy Initiative Centre – specialising in Wind Energy Technologies (www.csir.co.za/csir-energy-centre)
E-mail: jstander@sun.ac.za
Publications:
- Title: Review of direct-drive radial flux wind turbine generator mechanical design
Link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/we.484/full
- Title: Analytic modelling and optimization of slip synchronous permanent magnet wind turbine generator topologies
Link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/we.1756/abstract
- Title: High fidelity multidisciplinary design optimisation of an electromagnetic device
Link: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00158-015-1375-0
- Title: Structural mass reduction by integrating active material in direct drive generator design
Link: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00158-015-1243-y
Patents:
- Title: Split permanent magnet machine
Link: https://www.google.com/patents/EP2601732A1?cl=en
- Title: Machine with two co-axial rotors
- Title: A coil for an induction machine and an induction machine comprising such coil
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Mari Hanekom
MEng Research (Mechanical) Student
“Modelling the true loads on a train bogie”
Modelling the true loads on a train bogie in order to enable the optimisation of its design and the determination of its fatigue life.
Previous studies: BEng (Mechanical), Stellenbosch University, 2017
Originally from: Moorreesburg, Western Cape, South Africa
E-mail: 18249450@sun.ac.za
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Francè Bresler
MEng Research (Mechanical) Student
“Characterisation of cardiovascular tissue through the Finite Element Method”
Previous studies: BEng (Mechanical), University of Pretoria, 2017
Originally from: Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng, South Africa
E-mail: 18537995@sun.ac.za
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Alex Ham
MEng Research (Mechanical) Student
“Investigation and Design of Profile Morphing Hydrofoils”
Attempting to design a hydrofoil with the ability to morph profile shapes, from symmetric to asymmetric profiles, for use on a sailing vessel. This investigation involves CFD; to first determine target profile shapes, FEM; to design a structure and actuation mechanism to achieve the desired results and finally practical towing tank and real-world testing.
Previous studies: BEng(Mechanical), Stellenbosch University, 2017
Originally from: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
E-mail: 17502233@sun.ac.za
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Bradley Bezuidenhout
MEng Research (Mechanical) Student
“Design for an Inflatable Aerofoil”
Previous studies: BEng(Mechanical), Stellenbosch University, 2017
Originally from: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
E-mail: 18182607@sun.ac.za
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Sung bok Chung
MEng Research Student
“Design of a computer fan using sound quality metrics”
Previous studies: BEng(Mechatronic), Stellenbosch University, 2017
Originally from: South Korea
E-mail: 18507522@sun.ac.za
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Han Vegter
MEng Research (Mechatronic) Student
“Design of a biomimetic soft robot capable of salamander-like locomotion”
Combining rigid and flexible materials to design and build a soft robot that mimics the locomotion of a salamander.
Previous studies: BEng(Mechatronic), Stellenbosch University, 2017
Originally from: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
E-mail: 17864623@sun.ac.za
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Jeandré van Zyl
MEng Research (Mechanical) Student
“Design and development of a morphing airfoil utilizing flexible materials”
The project will investigate how flexible materials can be used to develop an airfoil that can change its shape during operation (in order to change its aerodynamic properties).
Previous studies: BEng(Mechanical), Stellenbosch University, 2017
Originally from: Strand, Western Cape, South Africa
E-mail: 18450903@sun.ac.za
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Eugene Jacobs
MEng Research (Mechanical) Student
“Modelling the true loads of a truck chassis”
Previous studies: BEng(Mechanical), Stellenbosch University, 2017
Originally from: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
E-mail: 18214177@sun.ac.za
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Makoena Raymond (Tshepo) Botete
Degree completed: MEng Research (Mechanical)
“Prediction of fibre waviness formation on composite panels with ply drop-off during autoclave curing process”
To manufacture stiffened composite panels, the stiffener is glued to the flat panel and cured in the autoclave. If the thermal expansion is not matched, the panel will deform once it is taken out of the autoclave and is allowed to cool down. Therefore, the project focus on coming up with a method to design the panel for thermal expansion to match the stiffener while ensuring the combination is as stiff and as light as possible.
Currently: Junior lecturer and PhD student at Stellenbosch University doing research on laser-based additive manufacturing of Titanium Alloys.
Previous studies: Matriculated from Makgofe High School in 2009 and immediately enrolled for BSc Physical and Mineral Science at University of Limpopo. Two years later switched to BEng (Mechanical) at Stellenbosch University to follow his passion, completed in 2016.
Originally from: Moletjie village, Limpopo, South Africa.
Email: 16557891@sun.ac.za
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Mareli Malan
Degree completed: MEng Research (Mechanical), April 2019
“Particle swarm optimisation: An algorithm using support vector classification based constraint approximations”
Create an altered version of the particle swarm optimization algorithm for solving non-trivial, nonlinear, constrained engineering optimisation problems that works better with equality constraint(s) or for problems with an optimum on the boundary of the feasible space than current methods, by using support vector classification to approximate the feasibility boundary.
Previous studies: BEng (Mechanical), Stellenbosch University, 2015.
Background: Matriculated from Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof.
Originally from: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa.
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Marga C. Viljoen
Degree completed: MScEng (Mechanical), April 2019
“An Experimentally Validated Material Model for the Biological Materials Used in Replacement Heart Valves”
Heart valve disease is a problem that affects many people across the globe. There are two commonly used types of replacement heart valves: mechanical valves and bioprosthetic heart valves. Bioprosthetic heart valves are more advantageous to the patient because they mimic the behaviour of human heart valves more closely and require little or no lifestyle changes after implantation. Bioprosthetic heart valves also tend to fail gradually leaving more time (than with mechanical valves) to diagnose the problem before it is too late [1] and they are implantable through less invasive operative procedures [2, 3, 4].
The main problem with bioprosthetic heart valves is that they are far less durable than mechanical valves. In order to design these replacement valves for better durability, it is crucial to use very accurate material models for the replacement valve’s leaflet materials.
- Tillquist, MN., Maddox, MM. Cardiac crossroads: deciding between mechanical or bioprosthetic heart valve replacement. Patient Preference and Adherence, Vol. 5, 2011, pp 91-99.
- Kheradvar, Arash et al. “Emerging Trends In Heart Valve Engineering: Part II. Novel And Standard Technologies For Aortic Valve Replacement”. Annals of Biomedical Engineering4 (2014): 844-857.
- Kheradvar, Arash et al. “Emerging Trends In Heart Valve Engineering: Part IV. Computational Modeling And Experimental Studies”. Annals of Biomedical Engineering10 (2015): 2314-2333.
- Kheradvar, Arash et al. “Emerging Trends In Heart Valve Engineering: Part I. Solutions For Future”. Annals of Biomedical Engineering4 (2014): 833-843.
Previous studies: BEng (Mechanical), Stellenbosch University, 2015.
Background: Matriculated from Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof.
Originally from: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa.
Future: Would like to go into the design of prosthetics or implants.
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Inance Bonsma
Degree completed: MEng Research (Mechanical)
E-mail: 16978242@sun.ac.za
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Du Toit Viljoen
Degree completed: MEng Research (Mechanical), March 2018
“Comparing different approaches to determine 2D orthotropic material properties”
When obtaining material properties, one usually use a direct method (using stress-strain data). I am investigating and comparing two inverse methods, namely the FEM model updating- and the Virtual Fields method.
Previous studies: BEng (Mechanical) from Stellenbosch, 2015.
Background: Matriculated from Duineveld High, Upington.
Originally from: Postmasburg, Northen Cape, South Africa. Raised on a farm.
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Ivan van Jaarsveld
Degree completed: MEng Research (Mechanical), March 2018
“Predict Sealing Envelope of Gland to Film Fitments”
The aim of this project was to develop a method that utilizes historical and present manufacturing data to predict the optimum sealing strength of gland seals.
Previous studies: BEng (Mechanical) at Stellenbosch University.
Background: Matriculated from Namakwaland High School.
Originally from: Aggeneys, Northern Cape, South Africa.
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Tristan S. Steele
Degree completed: MEng Research (Mechanical), March 2018
“Coupled Structural and Electromagnetic Analysis of a Radio Telescope”
The aim is to perform a complete structural and electromagnetic analysis of a radio telescope to determine the effects of deformation on the telescope’s performance.
Previous studies: BEng (Mechanical), Stellenbosch University, 2015.
Originally from: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
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Severin Azankpo
Degree completed: MEng Research (Mechanical), March 2017
“Surface Accuracy and Pointing Error Prediction of a 32 m Diameter Radio Astronomy Telescope”
To numerically simulate and quantify the surface and pointing performance of a 32 m diameter class radio astronomy telescope owing to its structural deformation mainly influenced by gravity, wind and thermal load.
Previous studies: BSc Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Originally from: Ghana.
E-mail: 19611285@sun.ac.za
Publications:
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Brendan Nickerson
Degree completed: MEng Research (Mechanical), March 2017
“Fatigue Analysis of Class 5M Railway Bogie”
Designing a numerical procedure that can be used to determine the dynamic loads and fatigue life of the Commonwealth bogie employed on the Class 5M train in South Africa.
Currently: PhD student, Stellenbosch University (moved to another research group)
Previous studies: BEng (Mechanical), Stellenbosch University, 2014.
Originally from: Born and raised in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
Future: Interested in working in academics and research.
E-mail: 16603087@sun.ac.za
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Jeanette Marais
Degree completed December 2016.
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Wilbur van Blommestein
Degree completed December 2016.
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